Your question presupposes the long flight is with the intent of capturing stills or footage of some distant POI.
For many in the pursuit of distance the distance recorded, a number of feet or metres is the prize.
Tinkerimg and hardware mods, using the breeze, choosing altitudes and speeds of flight to better your own previous record or acheivements of others.
Its all within the pursuit of and just another facet to the hobby and brings pleasure to those who go for distance.
I know a few people who dont take off from anywhere outside their property and one who hardly flys seemingly enjoying looking at the phantom on the shelf in the office. I dont understand that but they are happy and not for me to judge.
To each their own.